POLICE CLOSE DOWN RECYCLING PLANT

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Prompted by residents complaining of foul odors, irritating dust and excessive late-night noise, police on Thursday shut down a recycling plant they say was used as an illegal dump, and arrested the owner.

Police seized records and heavy equipment from LJO Recycling, 1256 NW 23rd Ave., and arrested owner Louis J. Oldoni Jr., 26, on a charge of violating Florida's litter law, a third-degree felony. He faces a prison term of up to five years and a $5,000 fine.

Residents who live across the street from the site were pleased to see police shut down the center. More than 100 people had signed a petition complaining about the smell and noise.

"We've been complaining since they've been here," Rose Thomas said. "Your eyes get watery and red and there's a terrible odor. You get a sick feeling. I have little kids here."

Odessa Randall said the business, which has been there about nine months, never should have opened. "They wouldn't put this in any other neighborhood," she said. "A dump has no place in a residential neighborhood."

Sgt. Gene Farmer, head of the city's code enforcement team, said Oldoni, of Coral Springs, has been operating without proper permits and ignored warnings from the city and state to get them.

The city began investigating Oldoni in March after the residents started complaining. The business was licensed by the city to operate as a recycling center for aluminum and other metals, Farmer said.

But Farmer said garbage and debris were being brought to the center, creating the foul odors and dust. Oldoni was told he had to get a permit for solid waste disposal and was cited for licensing and storage violations.

Farmer said trucks have continued, however, to bring in various metals, concrete, wood, plastic, household trash and furniture. Trucks that arrived while police secured the scene on Thursday were turned away.

"It's an illegal operation to begin with," Farmer said. "City, county and state laws are being violated."

Earlier this year, Oldoni said he declined to pay off a county environmental official who was later fired after being accused of accepting money from companies his agency regulated.

During the investigation of Joe Harden Jr., who at the time was enforcement administrator for the Office of Natural Resource Protection, Oldoni said that Harden approached him in January. He said Harden asked for $500 and said, "We can persuade your problems to go away."

Oldoni said he declined because he had worked "so hard to open up a legitimate business."

Oldoni's father, Louis Sr., also was arrested when police raided the center. He was charged with obstructing code team officers and carrying a concealed firearm.